The following stories have been shared by those living with endometriosis, for the benefit of everyone in the endometriosis community. You can read all of these personal stories online here (each story has its own page) or save the print-ready .pdf format. You will need Acrobat Reader 5.0 or better to be able to read them. Feel free to print copies for your personal use, and please respect copyright; kindly seek permission before publishing elsewhere.Personal stories sharing experiences and practical hints can be of immense help to others. Please consider sharing your own valuable endometriosis experiences. You may choose to share just one brief aspect (eg Mirena IUD) and your story can be anonymous. If you are interested in writing your own story, please Contact us.

Megan's Story (Paeroa, June 2012)

My name is Megan Bruce. I was born in Hawera, Taranaki, nearly 47 years ago. I have lived in various places through the years. I am currently living in Paeroa with my husband David and our much loved and spoilt cat Simba. I experienced very painful periods throughout my teenage years. I still remember going to the family doctor when I was 15 and being given the contraceptive pill to try and alleviate the pain I was experiencing. Although this did help for a while, I still had heavy periods. I would wear two pairs of underwear and forever had to change bedding. For some reason, which I still have not been able to fathom, the left side of my face used to swell up as well! It looked like I had the mumps, but it only happened during that “time of the month”. Also, my mother made it very clear that I was not allowed to tell any boy that I was on the pill. I still laugh about this! I stayed on the pill until I was married to my first husband at 25. When I came off the pill, the pain that I had experienced during my teenage years was mild compared to what I was about to go through. After being unable to conceive for three years I went to my GP. She made some notes and referred me to a gynaecologist in Hamilton. I was put on the infamous “waiting list” to have laparoscopic surgery. Luckily I didn't have to wait too long. I had the surgery done in Thames Hospital that September, which also involved a D&C (dilatation & curettage). Within 6 weeks I was pregnant. I guess you can imagine the elation that my husband and I felt. Unfortunately I miscarried and spent Christmas Eve in Thames Hospital. After this, as we were now living in Papakura, I had several visits into Middlemore Hospital. Each time they thought it was my appendix. The pain was excruciating. Thankfully I had an amazing GP who referred me to Edwin Ozumba, a gynaecologist based at Middlemore. By this time my first husband and I had divorced. I had three laparoscopies and on the third one they diagnosed endometriosis! I was relieved that I finally had a name for what I was experiencing, because for some time I thought that I was a hypochondriac! My endometriosis was so severe that within six weeks I was booked in to have a full abdominal hysterectomy. As I was single and in my 30’s I didn't think that I would marry again. I was also planning my OE for late 1999. I didn't want to have to be in agony and not enjoy myself. In 1999 I met a fabulous man through the internet whom I am now married to. I was unable to have any children. However I have two nephews and two nieces that I love with all my heart! I have also been blessed with two great-nieces born in the past three years. I have had two major surgeries for endometriosis since my hysterectomy. The first one I ended up having two surgeons - a gynaecologist (VP Singh) and a general surgeon (CK Reddy) operating on me. As my endometriosis was attached to my bowel, I had to have my bowel resected. The second surgery was in February 2008 and was done by Naylin Appanna. As I write this story, I am booked to see Lakshmi Ravakanti on Monday 27 June. I am experiencing again a lot of pain, especially around the bowel area. The pain seems to intensify for 7-10 days every month even though I have had all my reproductive organs removed. I’m not sure how I came to find out about Insight Endometriosis, but I would just like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Annette and Deborah who do a fantastic job looking after us all.